New Zealanders continued to head overseas in strong numbers during May 2026, while international visitor arrivals also maintained their gradual recovery, highlighting the resilience of the tourism sector despite ongoing economic pressures.
New figures released by Stats NZ show there were approximately 273,000 overseas visitor arrivals in May 2026, while New Zealand residents made around 277,000 short-term overseas trips, reflecting continued confidence in international travel as airline capacity and global tourism recover.
Australia remained New Zealand’s largest tourism market, accounting for the biggest share of visitor arrivals, followed by travellers from the United States, China and the United Kingdom.
The figures suggest international tourism continues to strengthen after the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, although visitor numbers from some key Asian markets remain below pre-pandemic levels.
Industry leaders say improving airline connectivity, increased flight capacity and growing consumer confidence have continued to support the sector’s recovery.
For New Zealand’s economy, international tourism remains one of the country’s most valuable export earners.
Visitors contribute billions of dollars annually through accommodation, hospitality, transport, retail and tourism experiences, supporting thousands of jobs across both urban centres and regional communities.
For Māori tourism operators, the return of international visitors is particularly significant.
Cultural tourism has become an increasingly important part of New Zealand’s visitor offering, with many overseas travellers seeking authentic experiences centred on te ao Māori, whakapapa, history, kapa haka, marae visits and the unique relationship between tangata whenua and the environment.
Many iwi-owned tourism businesses continue to expand their offerings as visitor numbers recover, helping create employment opportunities while sharing Māori culture with international audiences.
The latest figures also demonstrate that New Zealanders continue to prioritise overseas travel despite ongoing cost-of-living pressures.
While higher airfares and accommodation costs have affected travel budgets, demand for international holidays remains robust, particularly for destinations across Australia, the Pacific and Asia.
Tourism operators say outbound travel has benefited from increased airline competition and the restoration of routes that were suspended during the pandemic.
The continuing recovery also presents opportunities for regional New Zealand.
As international visitor numbers increase, destinations outside the main tourism centres are working to attract greater numbers of overseas travellers through nature-based tourism, cultural experiences, food and wine tourism and outdoor recreation.
The Government has identified tourism as one of the sectors expected to play an important role in supporting economic growth, regional employment and export earnings over coming years.
However, the industry also faces ongoing challenges, including workforce shortages, infrastructure pressures and the need to balance visitor growth with environmental sustainability.
Tourism leaders say future success will depend not simply on attracting more visitors, but on encouraging higher-value tourism that delivers lasting economic benefits while protecting New Zealand’s natural and cultural heritage.
As international travel continues its steady recovery, the latest figures provide another indication that confidence is returning to one of New Zealand’s most important industries.
For Māori tourism, regional communities and the wider economy, continued growth in international arrivals offers renewed opportunities to showcase Aotearoa to the world while supporting jobs, investment and sustainable development.
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